Three Hundred Æsop's Fables/The Viper and the File

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London: George Routledge and Sons, page 179

THE VIPER AND THE FILE.

A Viper entering the workshop of a smith, sought from the tools the means of satisfying his hunger. He more particularly addressed himself to a File, and asked of him the favour of a meal. The File replied, "You must indeed be a simple-minded fellow if you expect to get anything from me, who am accustomed to take from every one, and never to give anything in return."

The covetous are poor givers.